As the days move closer to our daughter’s college move-in day, I start to get a little worried that we haven’t taught her all the life skills she’ll need when she’s off on her own. She can cook. She knows how to sort laundry. She seems to have a pulse on basic money management. So what are we missing? One
The Best Laid Plans: Grad Party Advice
Anyone who knows me knows I love to throw a party! I get excited over details and food and games and decorations. Pass the crepe paper streamers, please. My theory is that a good party can turn into a great party if you start with a fun theme. Piñata, anyone? You can imagine how thrilled I was when our youngest
Heading out of my comfort zone…again!
As I go out and speak on preparing to successfully launch our children, many people ask if I have any videos to share online. Up until now, I’ve had to say “no.” But thanks to a little thing called iMovie that came with my laptop, I can now say “yes.” Folks, this has stretched me! It is waaaay out of
Bringing home the GOLD!
When I clicked open my email, one subject line immediately caught my eye. It said YOU ARE A FINALIST! Those four words meant I was heading to St. Paul for the 27th Annual Midwest Book awards. I’d be joining other hard-working, passionate, word-loving authors to celebrate independent book publishing and vie for some bling. The celebration was last weekend and I’m thrilled to tell
How to prevent “summer melt” for your high school graduate? Give ’em a nudge!
Many of you know I’m currently a mom of a high school senior. My “baby” will graduate in two weeks and head off to college in the fall. A few months ago, our high school sent out a notice about a program called Summer Nudging. It is sponsored by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education designed to help college-bound students
Got grads? Gift ideas for the high school graduate.
**design by Gabrielle Kunze, Radi to Write Intern
A Lesson in Ink
Young people today are sprucing up body parts with ink and adding holes to their heads (and elsewhere), all in the name of individuality and expression. Please understand—I have no issue with tattoos per se. In fact, I find many of them very beautiful, and I love the stories they tell (unless the story includes a fifth of Jack Daniel’s
If We Could Do It All Over…
Today’s post is a personal blog written by a very special young woman. Brooke Stier is a Radi to Write intern in the midst of completing her final weeks of college. Not only does she work with me, she serves as president of her college marketing club and works off-campus as well. In case she didn’t have enough on her plate
Advice for Parents: 8 Things I Learned my Second Time Around
It’s that time of year. Spring has sprung and graduation season is nearly here. Again. We’re about to launch our second child. And I’m okay with it. You heard me right. It’s a good thing. She’s ready. And—believe it or not—so am I. Click HERE to see today’s post on Grown & Flown that shares my thoughts as I head down
You’ve ordered the cap and gown. Parents, are you ready for what comes next?
Does the melody of “Pomp and Circumstance” cause a small lump in your throat? Does the thought of your child wearing a cap and gown bring tremendous pride AND an undercurrent of fear? If you’re both excited and scared about your student’s upcoming high school commencement (and pending adulthood), you’re not alone. The transition from high school to college stirs